In this episode I chat to Desmond Denton an award-winning filmmaker who lives in Washington DC in the United States. 

We discuss his and his family’s journey from Stellenbosch to the United States.

We also explore the challenges and triumphs of immigration and he shares insights on his filmmaking career, the emotional impact of leaving home and the importance of preserving cultural identity.

Desmond’s film The Journey Home explores the lives of families and especially children who left South Africa for the United States. 

It is clear from the film and our discussion that children often experience a different emotional impact during immigration.

We discuss the complexities of relocation, the significance of storytelling, and the lessons learned along the way.

I found the discussion truly motivational and I really enjoyed Desmond’s maturity, hi faith and his amazing love for the arts.

Desmond Denton: "You have to capture the present moment."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Desmond Denton and His Work

03:12 Desmond's Journey in Filmmaking

07:16 The Decision to Immigrate to the US

13:45 Living Out Faith in Filmmaking

16:27 The Journey Home: A Film on Immigration

22:14 Reflections on Leaving South Africa

23:59 Navigating Cultural Loss and Family Dynamics

27:13 The Journey of Doubt and Adaptation

30:48 The Emotional Toll of Immigration

34:11 Cultural Identity and Connection Abroad

37:07 Reflections on Life Choices and Opportunities

If you want to know more about Desmond and his filmmaking , his website is https://www.desmonddenton.com.

 Festive Season Far From Home

To all South Africans spending this festive season far from the place that shaped you… we see you.

The longing hits a little harder this time of year—boerewors fires, familiar voices, the smell of rain on red earth.

Journey Home shares the real and raw experiences of families who took the brave leap to start over in the US. But the truest storytellers? Their children.

If you’re missing home, or know someone preparing for the journey… this film is a companion.

The Journey Home film is available on Amazon Prime in some locations and also on this link https://tubitv.com/movies/100028024/the-journey-home

or

https://www.roku.com/en-gb/whats-on/movies/the-journey-home?id=ff017c49a376ffde41d679b87bad2533

or

https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-journey-home/umc.cmc.4s5q6gynzbp3ztjqnfdm0onok

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

n this episode, I speak to Lumond Kritzinger, founder of HowzitExpats.com, about his emigration journey from South Africa to Ireland. 

We discuss the challenges and planning involved in emigration, the importance of community, and the role of HowzitExpats in supporting South Africans abroad. 

Lumondt shares insights on financial planning, cultural integration, and the significance of well-being for expats.

He emphasises the need to plan properly in order to make emigration successful.

He shares details for his well-being survey that is underway for South African expats.

Lumondt Kritzinger: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:03 Lumondt’s Immigration Journey

00:09 Challenges and Planning in Immigration

00:15 Community and Cultural Integration

00:21 Financial Planning for Expats

00:27 The Role of HowzitExpats

00:33 Well-being and Family Dynamics

00:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

If you want to know more about Lumondt and the well-being survey, his website is https://www.howzitexpats.com.

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

In this episode, I speak to Janet Edwards, author of The Overseas Caregiver's Guid. 

We discuss the challenges and emotional weight of emigrating from South Africa to Australia. 

We discuss the importance of planning for the future, including legal documents like power of attorney and wills, and the emotional toll of caring for parents from afar. 

Janet shares her experiences managing her parents' care and finances, as well as practical advice for expats on how to stay connected with family back home. 

The conversation emphasises the need for organisation, communication, and support networks for those navigating the complexities of emigration and caregiving.

She offers valuable advice for people with parents in South Africa and the importance of stayingg connected.

Janet Edwards: “Just “do one thing”

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Immigration and Family Separation

02:44 The Emotional Weight of emigration

05:44 The Overseas Caregiver's Guide: A Roadmap

08:38 Planning for the Future: Power of Attorney and Wills

11:49 Caring for Parents from Afar

14:27 Financial Management and Medical Aid

17:35 Dealing with Scams and Financial Safety

20:29 Balancing Emotions and Practicalities in Caregiving

23:24 Advice for Expats: Staying Connected

26:10 Reflecting on the emigration Journey

29:06 Final Thoughts and Resources

Janet’s contact details are as follows:

Website:     https://www.theoverseascaregiver.com/overseascaregiver

Sales Page https://www.theoverseascaregiver.com/overseascaregiverorderform   

Fb Group   The Overseas Caregiver

Instagram   the_overseas_caregiver

email          [email protected]

Book : AU$27 with a 44% discount voucher running until Friday, 12 December 2025 at 23h00 (Brisbane time)

Voucher Code:  FLAMINGO

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Imagine learning Afrikaans at a university in America.

in this conversation I talk to Professor Jacques Duplessis who teaches Afrikaans at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. 

He shares shares his journey from South Africa to the United States, discussing his passion for teaching Afrikaans and the cultural connections he maintains. 

He also talks about his love for poetry and the resources that he has built to promote the teaching of Afrikaans all over the world.

He emphasizes the importance of humor, music, and family ties in navigating life abroad, while also reflecting on identity and the challenges faced by immigrants. 

Jacques offers valuable advice for young South Africans considering their future, highlighting the richness of their cultural heritage and the importance of staying connected to their roots.

I really enjoyed Jacques’ passion for Afrikaans and his people while building a life in the United States.

Jacques Du Plessis:"Afrikaans is a WYSIWYG language."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Immigration and Personal Journeys

03:13 Cultural Connections and Language Teaching

05:50 Innovations in Language Education

09:12 The Global Interest in Afrikaans

11:56 Challenges of Less Commonly Taught Languages

15:01 Language Proficiency and Cultural Nuances

17:57 Understanding South African Humor

20:53 Cultural Differences in Friendships

23:46 The Depth of South African Connections

29:31 The Richness of Afrikaans Language

36:29 Cultural Identity and Language

44:57 The Role of Music in Language Learning

52:55 Reflections on Life Choices and Identity

Find out more about Jacques’ work on www.afrikaans.us and his personal website www.jacquesduplessis.com.

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Have you considered the feelings and emotions of parents whose children emigrate?  

In this episode I talk to Dr Sulette Ferreira, a migration therapist specializing in emigration therapy for families living apart. We discuss the emotional challenges faced by families, particularly parents left behind when children emigrate. 

Sulette highlights the concept of ambiguous loss, the importance of maintaining relationships across distances, and the need for community support. She emphasizes that emigration affects family dynamics and that parents often experience grief and longing for their children. The conversation also touches on the importance of seeking professional help and maintaining a positive relationship with children who have emigrated.

The conversation was interesting, and it made me appreciate caring for those who remain behind.

Sulette Ferreira: "Ambiguous loss is a continuous loss."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating emigration and Family Dynamics

03:23 Understanding the Emotional Impact of emigration

08:11 The Complexities of Long-Distance Relationships

12:40 Grief and Ambiguous Loss in emigration

17:01 The Role of Community and Support Systems

21:53 Financial and Logistical Challenges of emigration

26:36 Finding Meaning and Maintaining Relationships

33:47 Actionable Advice for Parents Left Behind

Dr Sulette can be contacted at www.drsulette.com. She is also on Facebook as Dr Sulette Ferreira and she has a private Facebook group for parents who stay behind “Worlds apart living in one heart”

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

The decision to emigrate has lifelong implications and challenges for everyone involved. 

In this episode I talk to Andrew Rissik, the Group International Director of Sable International, a well know company that has a slogan of “internationalize yourself, your wealth and your business.”

Andrew speaks from own experience having moved to Portugal for part of the year while maintaining his roots in South Africa. 

He highlights common misconceptions, the importance of planning, tax implications, and the emotional aspects of relocating. 

There is no substitute for thorough research and professional advice when considering emigration. 

He touches on the significance of community, education opportunities abroad, and the impact of leaving loved ones behind.

It was a great discussion with someone who has obviously paid his own school fees and is prepared to share his experience with the listeners.

Andrew Rissik: "Engage with a trusted partner."

Chapters

02:31 Andrew Rissik’s background and journey

04:52 Understanding the decision to Emigrate

09:36 The Importance of Planning and Research

11:57 Community and Support in New Environments

18:23 Navigating Tax Implications of Emigration

25:17 Navigating Nationality and Immigration Claims

27:35 Visa and Immigration Services Post-Brexit

29:55 Investment Migration and Financial Planning

32:15 Documentation Challenges and Government Backlogs

34:34 Housing and Accommodation Considerations

39:13 Understanding Costs of Living Abroad

46:02 Cultural Adaptation and Emotional Challenges

51:06 Family Dynamics and Caregiving in Emigration

48:23 Seeking Professional Guidance for Emigration

If you want to know more about the services of Sable International, their website is www.sableinternational.com. All the services and contact details are available on the website.

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Imagine being a young aircraft engineer in the 1980’s in South Africa who goes to Russia to work on a top secret  military project.

In this episode, I talk to  Kobus De Villiers, who shares his journey from South Africa to Canada. Kobus tells us about his experiences  in aerospace engineering, and the secret project to build the MIG-29 engine into the South African Airforce’s Mirage and Cheetah aircraft.

Kobus has written 5 books and numerous articles, We discuss the challenges of emigration, the cultural adjustments in Canada, and his passion for writing, including his published works. He reflects on his life choices, the importance of commitment in emigration, and offers advice for those considering leaving South Africa.

It was a fascinating discussion with a man who has great passion for his work, his family and his writing and has lived an amazing life.

Kobus De Villiers: “my morals and my values are just not going to allow me to go there..”

00:00 Introduction to The Relocated South African Podcast

02:35 Kobus De Villiers: Journey from South Africa to Canada

05:03 Career in Aerospace Engineering and Military Projects

07:38 Collaboration with Russian Engineers on Military Aircraft

10:06 Transition to Life in Canada and New Opportunities

12:37 Challenges and Experiences in the Aerospace Industry

15:01 Family Life and Dual Citizenship

17:25 Writing Journey and Publishing Books

27:26 Writing and Personal Growth

33:34 Exploring the Publishing World

41:32 Reflections on Life Choices and emigration

48:21 Advice for Potential Immigrants

Kobus De Villiers’ books are available on Amazon both in hard copy and e books and at Kobus de Villiers Archives | Malherbe Uitgewers

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Imagine moving to the UK and building a successful life and career but after more than 20 years deciding to go back to South Africa.

In this episode, I chat to Wolf Dette, the owner of Wolfies Bar in London, who shares his journey from South Africa to the UK and back. Wolf discusses his early life, ambitions in finance and the challenges of running a business during COVID.

He talks about the family’s decision to return to South Africa for family and community support. He also explores the world of NFT's and crypto investments, reflecting on the importance of resilience and cultural identity.

I really enjoyed Wolf’s entrepreneurial spirit and his drive to provide what is best for his son’s health challenges.

Wolf Dette: "the amount of growing up that you do when you go overseas and there is no one to help you. No parents no friends ..”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

01:20 Early Life and Ambitions

04:29 Transition to the UK and Career Development

05:47 The Birth of little Wolf

08:21 A big UK tax bill

09:33 First Bitcoin purchase

16:30 Success in the UK

21:23 Community and Support Systems

23:20 Reflections on Safety and Crime

25:20 Cultural Identity and Resilience

28:00 Healthcare and Family Considerations

32:33 Crime in the UK

39:00 Things change when you emigrate and grow up

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Have you ever thought about the challenges of selling everything to be ready to emigrate and then Covid arrived?

In this episode, I speak to Hettie Meyer who relocated to Wellsford, New Zealand from the East Rand in South Africa. 

We talk about the family’s  journey from South Africa, the challenges of moving, and the differences in lifestyle, culture, and healthcare in New Zealand.

I really enjoyed hearing about Hettie’s experiences with moving, childcare and the importance of maintaining connections with loved ones back home. For me the conversation highlights the emotional aspects of emigration, the adjustments required, and the freedom and safety that come with living in New Zealand.

If emigration is on your horison you will find Hettie’s advice very useful.

"Don't bring your furniture."-Hettie Meyer

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

02:46 Life in Wellsford, New Zealand

05:45 The Decision to Move

08:48 Challenges of Relocation

11:51 Family and Childcare in New Zealand

14:46 Cultural Differences and Community

17:30 Healthcare and Safety

20:32 Maintaining Family Connections

23:33 Reflections on South Africa

26:34 Food and Lifestyle Differences

29:08 Advice for Potential emigrants

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]

Do we sometimes neglect the feelings of parents who stay behind when their children decide to emigrate.

In this conversation, I speak with Rene Koekemoer, a South African mother who has two daughters who live abroad. We discuss the emotional journey of being a parent left behind, the sacrifices made by both parents and children, and the impact of distance on family dynamics. Rene shares her experiences of coping with separation, the importance of support systems, and the unconditional love that drives parents to want the best fortheir children, even when it means living far apart.

The discussion with Rene left me with a clear understanding of the emotional rollercoaster of a parent with children abroad. Her journey clearly reflects the emotional complexities of being a parent left behind.

Parents often suppress their emotions to remain strong for their children. Support systems for parents left behind are non-existent.

“I will never judge them."- René Koekemoer

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Immigration

02:44 Life as a Parent Left Behind

05:51 Navigating Emotions of Separation

08:47 Understanding the Decision to Leave

11:54 The Impact of Distance on Family Dynamics

14:47 The Loss of Family Connections

17:32 Coping with the Emotions of Departure

20:38 The Role of Support Systems

23:23 Finding Positivity in Separation

26:34 Advice for Parents of Immigrants

29:27 The Unconditional Love ofParents

Find your digital home with fellow Relocated South Africans around the world. Visit https://therelocatedsouthafrican.com and connect with Jan at [email protected]